Frequently Asked Questions

How can I use Liberty Lane cedar post caps from Ornamental Designs?

You should use Liberty Lane cedar post caps 24 post cap styles to decorate your fences, rails, decks, mailbox posts, and other outdoor projects. Deck and fence applications are so common that many people simply request "fence post caps" and "deck post caps." Our cedar post caps are a great choice for your external landscape projects!

Why choose Liberty Lane cedar post caps from Ornamental Designs?

The Liberty Lane line has a wide variety of styles that have been designed to complement the architectural styles popular in the Unites States. Made from first quality cedar, post caps are NOT turnings but are 'facet cut' to yield attractive, durable designs- traditional post cap profiles as well as contemporary post cap pieces.

How can I be sure that I am ordering the right size post cap for my posts?

This is a good question that has a long answer! First let's talk a little about the lumber industry standards for wood measurements. When you go to the store and buy an advertised 2x4, it actually measures 1.5"x3.5". This is because of the milling process, which results in a "finished" or "dressed" piece of lumber. The piece of wood starts out as 2"x4", but after being milled, its finished size is 1.5"x3.5". Carpenters and other craftsmen who work with wood know this and thus use the finished dimensions of lumber in calculating cost and supply, although they will say, "Hand me that 2 x 4." This is true of all lumber.

A 4x4 measures 3.5"x3.5". A 4x6 measures 3.5"x5.5". A 6x6 measures 5.5"x5.5" and so on as the size of the posts increases. However, with cedar and some other specialty woods, it is possible to order your wood unmilled, or unfinished, also known as "rough" or "full" cut. Thus, in order to order the correct size post cap, you need to know whether your posts are rough-sawn or finished. They may also be referred to as unmilled or milled. Therefore, we recommend that you always physically measure your posts before ordering your post caps.

More confusion arises due to the fact that within the industry, the terms "smooth" or "rough" are used. So, if you buy a piece of wood that is smooth (S4S - smooth 4 sides), your piece of wood is milled, known also as being dressed, or finished, lumber. If it is rough-sawn, it is the original, or full, size lumber. Thus, a rough 6x6 is a full 6"x6". An S4S 6x6 is actually 5.5"x5.5" and has been milled, or finished. Most lumber sold in the United States is S4S. Over 90% of the post caps we sell are made from milled, or finished, sticks of lumber.

Why is there such a difference in price between a 4x4 post cap and a 6x6 post cap? It's only another 2" bigger, yet it is twice the price!

Again, we must return to the lumber industry to understand the pricing. Lumber is sold by the board foot. One board foot measures 12"x12"x1", which is a cubic measurement. Therefore, a board foot contains 144 cu. in. All wood is measured and priced by its board foot measurement. As a result, a full 4x4 post cap that is 6" high (such as the Williamsburg style) has 96 cu. in.(4x4x6). The same style in a full 6x6 is 9" high, and thus its cubic measurement is 324 cu. in.(6x6x9) and has 3.3 times as much wood.

Are your post caps made only from cedar?

Yes. Cedar is a long lasting and attractive wood. According to the cedar industry, it has a minimum life expectancy in the ground of 15 - 20 years when exposed to the normal outside environment without any sealing. It also has the unique ability to expand and contract according to temperature/environmental changes without shattering.

What is the life expectancy of cedar post caps?

The same as for cedar. When left untreated and exposed to the elements, and without coming into contact with the ground, cedar has a life expectancy of many decades. If painted and/or sealed, life expectancy is prolonged.

Are Liberty Lane post caps ever made from pressure-treated wood?

No. Not only is pressure-treated wood treated with dangerous chemicals, the pressure-treating process itself causes the wood to split and crack when used as post caps. Pine does not endure the expansion/contraction process but instead splits and cracks beyond repair.

I see some checking and small splits in my post caps. Are these defects?

No. As explained earlier, cedar reacts according to its environment. When put into a dry area, the exterior dries faster than the interior, causing some splitting and/or checking. However, upon re-exposure to humidity, these splits and/or cracks will disappear as the wood is restored to uniform humidity and/or temperature. To minimize expansion/contraction checking, post caps should be stored in a closed container such as the box in which they arrive. During temperature extremes, unsealed cedar may check, but it returns to normal as temperatures even out. When painted or sealed, checking is almost completely eliminated.

Can cedar post caps be used with a pressure-treated project?

Yes, cedar weathers to the same look as pressure-treated wood. We do recommend that a cedar/pressure-treated project be allowed to weather for about a month before being sealed to allow maximum compatibility. (This does not apply to paint, which may be applied at any time.) We recommend the use of a good quality sealer.

Installing post caps - How should post caps be installed?

Many contractors successfully use a high-quality exterior construction adhesive when installing post caps. Care should be used in choosing an adhesive, since wood contracts and expands as temperatures and humidity changes. It may, after a period of time (usually years), cause the adhesive to lose its bonding power. This usually happens after prolonged weathering. If a more secure mounting is desired, sheet-rock screws (also known as drywall screws) may be used instead of exterior adhesive when installing post caps. (Click here for an installation diagram.)

What is a post cap spacer, and why is it optional?

The spacer is a wooden plate with beveled edges that is used between the post cap and the post or railing. It breaks up the visual line and enhances the project; it also prolongs the life of the post. However, it is sold as an optional item since some people make their own or place the post cap directly onto the post or railing.

Why are the weights on the specification sheet approximate?

Wood retains a variable amount of moisture, thus at times, although the wood is "dry" its weight will vary according to the internal moisture content.